One Piece: From Picking Up Red Hair's Broken Arm

Chapter 137 The Fate of a Scumbag: A Tale of Two Extremes!
Bang bang bang!
Screams echoed from the deck in the darkness.

After giving those guys a good beating, Nojiko flicked his wrist and coldly looked at the nobles and wealthy merchants on the ground with bruised and swollen faces.

She bent down and picked up the shackles that had just been removed from the slaves. With swift movements, she quickly bound the men tightly.

They were shackled and bound with chains, ensuring they couldn't move a single finger.

"Don't you guys like locking people up like this?"

Nojiko smiled and weighed the bunch of keys in her hand, then casually tossed them into the sea. "Now it's your turn to experience it for yourselves. How is it? Comfortable?"

"No, no!"

Are they going to throw them into the sea? Garde was horrified. He struggled desperately but couldn't move, and could only weep and beg for mercy.

"Please spare me! You two, I'm rich, I'm loaded! Just let me go and send me back, and I'll give you two hundred million... no! Three hundred million Berries as a reward!"

"Three hundred million Baileys?"

Nami gave a disdainful sneer, looking at him as if he were an idiot:
"Who do you think I am! Do you think I care about money?"

"What should we do with these guys, bro?" Nojiga asked Shano, turning to him.

"Do as you please, you can just kill them."

While grilling the meat, Xia Nuo answered casually.

Human traffickers deserve to be punished no matter what; they deserve to die.

"We definitely have to kill them, but we can't let them die so easily."

Noji snorted and activated the Snow-Snow Fruit ability, creating a hollow cube of snow around the group of guys.

In the middle of the bottom layer, an arched fire pit was reserved.

Nami immediately understood, flicked her finger, and a large cluster of flames landed on the fire pit. With a whoosh, it spread outwards and began to burn fiercely.

Noki kicked the large ice block high into the sea.

"Do not--!!!"

Garde watched helplessly as he was thrown into the sea, desperately looking up and roaring at the Fallen Curtain.

Those two brats, how dare they treat me like this!
Isn't this just like a closed iron cage? Am I going to die in such a ridiculous way like those lowly slaves?
Chi Chi!

Inside the cube, flames roared in the fire pit, scorching their skin, while the six ice walls melted at a visible rate under the intense heat.

Ice and Fire.

They were tormented by alternating extreme cold and extreme heat, and the seawater from the melting ice cascaded down from above, soaking their clothes.

But the steam was quickly vaporized by the flames, burning their respiratory tracts in the nearly enclosed space.

"Aaaaaah! It's hot! It's burning me!"

"No, we're going to freeze to death!"

"Help! Someone save us!"

"I was wrong! I was really wrong! Please, please let me go!"

Several nobles and wealthy merchants struggled frantically inside the ice coffin, but shackles and chains bound their hands and feet tightly, preventing them from even rolling over. They could only endure this inhuman torture.

Fear, despair, pain!

Yet there was nothing that could be done!

this moment.

They finally understood the feelings of the slaves who were locked in iron cages at the bottom of the ship's hold and sunk into the sea before their deaths.

……

On the deck of the Shura.

Several strong slaves who had just regained their freedom stared blankly at the large ice block receding into the distance on the sea, listening to the mournful howls coming from the flames, and were momentarily dazed.

"They...really died like that?" one of them murmured.

"die?"

Noki crossed her arms and sneered, "It's not that easy. We can hold out for at least twenty more minutes, enough for them to enjoy themselves."

"They got off too easily."

Nami added, "If I weren't worried about dragging this out and these guys getting lucky and running into a rescue ship, I'd like to let them despair a little longer."

"..."

After a moment of silence, the burly men exchanged glances, then suddenly knelt down and kowtowed heavily to the crew.

"Thank you everyone!"

"Thank you, Lord Xia Nuo!"

"You not only saved us, but you also helped us get revenge..."

"We will never forget this kindness!"

Xia Nuo glanced at them and grinned, "Get up, you don't need to do that."

He casually pushed a large iron plate of freshly grilled skewers over, saying, "I saw you guys earlier, all cowering and afraid to compete with others for food. You're still hungry, aren't you? Here, keep eating and get your strength back."

Several burly men were flattered and carefully accepted the food, then wolfed it down.

"Eat slowly, don't choke."

Zeff laughed heartily and brought over several bowls of hot soup. "If that's not enough, there'll be more. With me here, no one will go hungry!"

"thanks, thanks……"

They were speechless, eating while silently shedding tears and sobbing.

How long?
How long has it been since I was treated like a "human being"?
……

Xia Nuo watched silently for a while, then suddenly let out a long sigh.

Damn it, this shitty world.

Good thing...

He has long since moved beyond the stage of "cultivating one's own virtue when poor" and is steadily progressing towards "benefiting all under heaven".

Keep sailing! One day, he will be able to change the world from top to bottom with his own fists!
Of course, there is one more thing to do now.

Xia Nuo's gaze shifted, sweeping over the group of survivors huddled in the corner, his expression gradually turning indifferent.

Although the ringleader has been removed, the accomplices remain.

Among these people were ordinary sailors powerless to resist, passengers unaware of the truth, but also lackeys of nobles and wealthy merchants, or accomplices in the transactions.

He's not good at distinguishing these things.

But on the ship, there happened to be someone whose major was exactly what they were looking for.

Xia Nuo turned her head to the side, her gaze falling on Smoker. She slightly raised her chin and gave him a wink.

Smoker, with a cigar in his mouth, narrowed his eyes and immediately understood what his boss meant.

"Tsk, what a hassle."

He muttered something under his breath, but still stood up without hesitation and strode towards the group of survivors.

Before joining the Shura, he was a graduate of the Navy Headquarters' elite battalion, and he had learned everything. He was very familiar with interrogating, screening, and disposing of prisoners.

Shano also withdrew his gaze and entrusted the matter to Smoker, trusting him to handle it.

but.

Because of this incident, the planned barbecue party had to be postponed to another day.

Xia Nuo didn't linger on the deck. After quickly filling his stomach, he went straight into the cabin and headed to the training room, where he continued to vent his frustrations while looking at the Poneglyphs.

……

The next morning, only about twenty survivors remained on the ship. As for where the rest had gone, it was obvious.

These sailors or passengers, who were not accomplices, mostly had some spare change on them, so there was not much to worry about. They were extremely grateful to Shano and his group and planned to leave on their own once they reached the next island, figuring out how to return home.

However, the few freed slaves seemed to have other ideas.

"Hmm? What are you doing?"

Xia Nuo, who had just finished breakfast, turned around in surprise and looked at the burly men who had come to her door.

The burly men exchanged glances, and one of them gritted his teeth and said, "Lord Xia Nuo, we... want to follow you!"

"Yes! We're willing to follow you!"

"We are strong and capable. Although we may not be of much help in combat, you can entrust all the odd jobs on your ship to us with confidence!"

"Follow me?"

Xia Nuo raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, my lord!"

The burly man in the middle nodded emphatically, “Our hometown has been destroyed, and our relatives are all gone… Now we have nothing left but this life.”

"I'd rather follow you, sir. Even if I die fighting for you, I won't regret it. It's better than becoming a slave!"

Xia Nuo's gaze swept over the group of people.

Most of them were robust and had resolute eyes, clearly accustomed to hard work and endurance.

As a general laborer on the ship, he was indeed very qualified.

but……

"Sorry."

Xia Nuo shook her head. "I can sense your good intentions, but I cannot agree. It's too dangerous for you to follow me."

If he really is a great pirate.

They probably wish they had a group of devoted, unpaid laborers joining them.

Even if the intensity of the upcoming adventures is beyond their capacity, it doesn't matter. They can simply be used as expendable resources; once they're all dead, we can just recruit another batch.

pity.

He's not that cold-blooded.

The World Government has now increased its focus on the Fallen Adventurers, and if they were to face them head-on again, the enemy's forces would only grow stronger.

Sending these ordinary people, who couldn't even beat the lowest-ranking marines, onto the ship was no different from sending them to their deaths.

not to mention.

His plans will not change easily.

The crew of the Fallen Ship follow an absolutely elite route, imitating the flawless "Ironclad Royal Family" model of Shanks.

Anyone who wants to join the crew but can't even beat Nami, a non-combatant on board, is probably...

"grown ups."

The burly men lowered their heads, though they knew in their hearts that joining wouldn't be easy and that getting on the ship was very risky.

But being directly rejected at this moment, they couldn't help but look somewhat dejected.

"Hey, hey, hey, what's all the gloomy about! Although your past lives were ruined by those scumbags, now that you've regained your freedom, there are countless possibilities to start a new life."

Seeing the disappointed expressions on the faces of the group of burly men before him, Xia Nuo softened his tone and said with a smile:
“My ship is not suitable for you, but I will give you some money, enough for you to settle down on the next island, and then…”

"No, no need, sir!"

Several burly men hurriedly waved their hands, their eyes slightly reddening with emotion at Xia Nuo's words.
"We have hands and feet, we can earn it ourselves!"

"That's right!"

The burly man in the lead took a deep breath and nodded heavily:

"You've already helped us twice. If we were to continue troubling you and taking your money, what kind of men would we be!"

"Yes!"

"We may not be as strong as you, but we still have the strength!"

"At worst, I can work as a porter at the docks or do odd jobs at a tavern; that should be enough to support myself!"

"..."

Faced with this resolute attitude, Xia Nuo remained silent for a moment, then burst into laughter and patted each of them on the shoulder.

It seems I didn't save the wrong person.

They are all great men of the sea!
……

After another two days and two nights of sailing.

On the morning of the third day, the next mysterious island, which the permanent pointer had been pointing to, finally came into view.

This is a medium-sized island.

In the distance, the port was filled with merchant ships, the town's buildings were arranged in a neat and orderly fashion, and the streets were bustling with people.

The roads leading from the docks into the town are lined with all sorts of shops.

From a distance, it appears to be mostly restaurants, with the sea breeze carrying the rich aroma of delicious food that makes one's appetite irresistible.

—"Welcome to Pukki"

"It's Pukki?"

Zeff looked at the huge sign at the port entrance and raised an eyebrow in surprise. "This is not quite what I expected."

"That name sounds so familiar..."

Nami thought for a moment, then suddenly punched her fist in the palm of her hand, her eyes wide with surprise. "I remember now! So this is the city! I saw it in a book my brother bought me when I was little!"

"This is a famous food city throughout the entire Grand Line!"

She gazed expectantly at the town in the distance, recounting the description she had seen in the picture book:

"The entire island is like a dessert pile, with chocolate waterfalls cascading down the cliffs, rolling cream forests, and incredibly hospitable chefs in the harbor who even offer free cakes to guests from all over... Wait, why does none of these match up?"

Although Phuket Island in front of me has a bustling port and clean streets, it is far from the dreamlike food paradise described in the book.

"Damn it, this is clearly just an ordinary town! Picture books are really just for fooling kids!"

Nami angrily swung her right fist and turned around. "Uncle Zeff, you also feel that the reputation is undeserved and that you've been deceived by it, right?"

"No, quite the opposite."

Zeff shook his head: "This once-famous city of gourmet food did indeed have the kind of glory depicted in picture books, but before I first ventured into the Grand Line, I heard that since the Great Pirate Era began, this town, because it was located on a popular shipping route, had long suffered from the harassment and plunder of pirates, and since there were no naval branches stationed nearby, it became dilapidated in just a few years."

"so……"

Zeff looked around at the bustling port, a thoughtful expression flashing in his eyes:
"What surprised me is completely different from what you did. I don't know why, but this town has recovered to such a extent."

"Although it can't compare to its heyday, it's much better than it was in a few years ago when it was dilapidated."

"I see." Nami stroked her chin thoughtfully.

Xia Nuo stood aside, his gaze sweeping across the harbor, and suddenly noticed that the ships moored at the dock seemed to be stirring.

Many merchant ships were hurriedly weighing anchor, and even the pirate ships that were originally anchored casually in the middle were quickly moving to the sides to make way.

"Looks like they recognized our flag."

Xia Nuo shrugged, somewhat helplessly.

As its "bad reputation" continues to grow, people will probably have to get used to it in the future.

(End of this chapter)